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Easy Freezer Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Easy Freezer Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 21 reviews

This Easy Freezer Chicken Pasta Bake is a delicious and convenient meal perfect for busy weeknights. It combines tender diced chicken, rigatoni pasta, fresh vegetables, and a creamy marinara sauce, all topped with melted fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. The dish can be prepared ahead, frozen for up to three months, and baked whenever you need a comforting, hearty dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein & Dairy

  • 1/2 lb medium-sized chicken breasts, diced into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 (453g) log fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Pasta & Grains

  • 1 (450g) box rigatoni pasta (or 1 lb)

Vegetables & Herbs

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium sized red onion, sliced
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 2 cups spinach, chopped
  • 10 fresh basil leaves (or chopped basil as a garnish)

Pantry & Spices

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 (650 mL) jar marinara sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp red chili flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the rigatoni pasta in boiling salted water until just before al dente, about 6-8 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  2. Cook Chicken and Prepare Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes until it is lightly browned but not fully cooked through. Then add sliced red onion and minced garlic, sautéing for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the marinara sauce and stir in sour cream, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes. Bring the mixture just to a boil while stirring well to combine the flavors.
  4. Incorporate Vegetables and Pasta: Stir in diced red pepper and chopped spinach, letting them wilt slightly in the sauce. Then, toss the cooked rigatoni pasta into the sauce, mixing until all the pasta is evenly coated. Remove the sauce from heat.
  5. Assemble and Bake: Grease a large 9×13 inch baking dish. Transfer the sauced pasta and chicken mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly. Layer sliced fresh mozzarella cheese on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese has melted and started to brown.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Remove the pasta bake from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious baked chicken pasta!
  7. Freezing and Reheating Instructions: Allow the pasta bake to cool completely before portioning into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, either defrost in the microwave and cook for 6-7 minutes, or bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-30 minutes until heated through.

Notes

  • You can substitute rigatoni with any similar pasta shape like penne or ziti for similar results.
  • For a spicier dish, increase the red chili flakes to taste.
  • Make sure not to overcook pasta before baking; it will continue to cook in the oven and avoid becoming mushy.
  • This dish freezes well – portion it into single servings for convenient meals.
  • Use fresh mozzarella for the best melting quality and flavor.
  • If sour cream is unavailable, plain Greek yogurt is a good substitute for creaminess.
  • Adding extra veggies like mushrooms or zucchini can boost nutrition and flavor variety.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken pasta bake, freezer meal, rigatoni pasta, easy dinner, baked pasta casserole, one dish meal, make ahead dinner

Find it online: https://reemcook.com/easy-freezer-chicken-pasta-bake-recipe/